Category: External TV (Page 297 of 419)

A Chat with “Jericho” executive producer Carol Barbee

February 5, 2008 /

Okay, it’s a week ’til the second season of “Jericho” premieres. Time to really start getting excited…

As regular readers of Premium Hollywood know, we’ve been fans of “Jericho” from the get-go. Yes, we laid it on the line and acknowledged when we didn’t love everything we were seeing – both myself and John Paulsen went so far as to channel our inner Stephen Colbert, each of us putting the show on notice at one point or another – but when the series came back from its network-imposed midseason hiatus, it came back with all thrusters firing. Naturally, CBS then proceeded to cancel the series….and, just as naturally, the show’s fans rebelled. Defying the law of averages, the fans won: CBS reversed its decision and renewed “Jericho” for a second season. Yes, it’s shorter this time around, earning only a seven-episode shot at Round 2, but based on what I’ve seen, the crunch has worked in the show’s favor.

I was fortunate enough to get the show’s executive producer, Carol Barbee, on the phone for a few minutes, and she offered up quite a lot of scoop about the upcoming season…and although I did make sure to follow CBS’s requests to keep mum about certain specifics within the episodes, you should be forewarned that there are still plenty of small spoilers sprinkled throughout. (Also, I promise that there’s less of me talking as the conversation progresses; she just asked my opinion, so I felt obliged to give it!)

Bullz-Eye: Hey, Carol, how are you?

Carol Barbee: I’m good! How are you?

BE: Battling a cold, but hanging on. It’s a pleasure to speak with you; I think we spoke for about five seconds during the TCA Press Tour.

CB: Yeah, that sounds about right. (Laughs)

BE: Well, CBS has sent me six of the seven episodes in Season 2 of “Jericho,” and from what I’ve seen, my first reaction is that, for as much as I already loved the way the show had taken such a significant upswing at the end of Season 1, it looks like you even managed to fix the few problems I still had with it!

CB: Oh, wow, I’m so glad to hear that!

BE: I have to be honest that circumstances have kept me from putting in the second disc, with episodes 4 – 6, but…

CB: (In a hushed voice) Oh…!

BE: …but now that I’ve finished the first three episodes, I’m chomping at the bit to watch them!

CB: Well, at some point, I want to hear the problems that you think we fixed, because that’s really good to hear.

BE: Okay, well, granted, a lot of those problems were well on their way to being fixed as the second half of the first season found the show evolving. Like, I know there was a whole lot of talk about how the show would be partly like “Little House on the Prairie,” and it had definitely begun departing from that. Which was good, because, y’know, with a premise involving nuclear bombs going off in the United States, it just seemed like it should’ve been a darker show.

CB: Yes, thank you!

BE: And I’m sure that, with its new 10 PM timeslot, that’s going to help with that.

CB: Yeah, I think so, too.

BE: Did you ask for the later timeslot for that reason, or was that something the network just gave to you?

CB: It was luck of the draw. I mean, honestly, it depended on what their new shows did, so we could’ve been on Sundays at 8 PM or Tuesdays at 10 PM or Fridays at 9 PM. So we were prepared for anything. But we’re thrilled to be a 10 o’clock show. I think we are a darker show, and I think that’s the right place for us.

BE: I know that Season 2 was originally going to take place in Jericho, Cheyenne, and New York, but how did the direction of the season change when you got a smaller episode order than you’d anticipated?

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Actors, Actresses, External Entertainment, External TV, Interviews, Jericho, News, TV, TV Action, TV Dramas

Mark your calendars: on Feb. 12th, “Jericho” is BACK.

February 4, 2008 /

People, I have seen the first three episodes of Season 2 of “Jericho,” and let me say this as someone who spent Season 1 as both a fan and a detractor of the show: virtually every major problem I had with the show during its first season has been rectified.

I know, that’s the kind of claim that leaves you thinking that I’m hip-deep in hyperbole, but I’m telling you, I am in no way kidding you.

I’m not going to play King of All Spoilers, so don’t come here looking for gossip on that front, but I will say that the show has lost virtually all vestiges of its early attempt to be a modern-day “Little House on the Prairie.” It’s been streamlined to just the most key characters, focusing on the darker side of things, including much more focus on the politics of the post-bomb America; it’s now about 75 – 80% action or intense, dramatic conversations, and even the occasions when we venture into domesticity with Stanley and Mimi, we find a storyline which is set to dovetail into other goings-on.

You can check out a clip from the season premiere here (or here), but keep your eyes pealed to Premium Hollywood, as I’ve just had a very nice conversation with executive producer Carol Barbee about the upcoming episodes, and although I’m still keeping mum about certain secrets, we found some sufficiently evasive phrasing that allowed us to discuss some of what you can expect in Season 2.

In the meantime, remember this: whether you’re a fan of the show, an occasional viewer, someone who liked the premise but didn’t like the execution, or just someone who’s curious about this series that was rescued from cancellation by having fans send bags of peanuts to CBS, you owe it to yourself to tune in on Tuesday, Feb. 10th, at 10 PM.

“Jericho” is back, baby. In a big, big way.

Actors, Actresses, External Entertainment, External TV, Jericho, TV, TV Action, TV Dramas

The Wire 5.5 – React Quotes

February 3, 2008 /

We’ve already hit the midway point of the season, and as the many subplots continue to creep along, they’ve also finally begun to merge together into one cohesive story. McNulty’s serial killer remains the center of attention, and for good reason. After calling Alma with news about the killer’s most recent victims, the two meet to discuss the case in detail. McNulty is hesitant to disclose any information at first, but when Scott (who tags along) admits that juicier details would give the story better coverage, McNulty lets them in on the fact that his killer has been biting people in very inappropriate places.

That alone is enough to send the story to the front page, and within hours, Daniels is at the mayor’s office to speak with Carcetti about the investigation. It turns out Carcetti is a little bothered by the spotlight a high-profile serial killer could bring to the city, and so he lifts the OT cap for McNulty and one other detective to work the case. Unhappy with the lack of commitment from the mayor’s office, McNulty is left to figure out another way to get surveillance on Marlo and his crew. As it turns out, McNulty left it up to luck.

the_wire_5-5

After Marlo meets with Vondas to discuss the details of their new business venture, Vondas gives him a cell phone so that he’s easily reachable. Marlo then gives his lawyer the number in case of an emergency, and when Herc steals it from his boss’ rolodex, it winds up in Lester’s hands. Unfortunately, Lester ‘s bid for a wiretap doesn’t go well, so instead of calling it quits, he and McNulty plot a way to fudge the paperwork on a wiretap for the serial killer case, and instead use it for Marlo’s cell phone.

The case gets additional help when a disgruntled Scott (who’s sent out to get react quotes from the homeless community) ends up faking a call from the serial killer to his cell phone. When combined with McNulty’s “call” (which just so happened to be dialed from the same location), the bid for that wiretap is a slam-dunk. Of course, now we know that Scott really is the sleazy scumbag that he appeared, but if his selfish motives end up helping McNulty and Lestor’s case, then so be it.

Meanwhile, Omar is back in town and staking out one of Marlo’s lieutenants. Being patient so as to not walk into a set-up, Omar waits for the best moment to strike. What he doesn’t realize, however, is that Marlo has remained one step ahead, and when Omar busts through the door to take out a few of his men, he’s ambushed by Chris, Snoop and Michael. Cornered behind a sofa, Omar makes a run for it and jumps out of the third-story window. When the three shooters run to the balcony to see where he landed, Omar has already disappeared. I was actually a bit surprised to discover that Omar made it out of the shootout unscathed, but the guy has shown in past seasons that he’s virtually indestructible, and while he still might not make it out of this season alive, he certainly won’t go down without a fight. And personally, I can’t wait.

External TV, The Wire, TV, TV Dramas

Friday Night Lights: “Leave No One Behind”

February 2, 2008 /

The title for this week’s episode was apt. Under different contexts, “Leave No One Behind” could refer to Matt, to Smash, to Julie and to Tyra.

Let’s start with Matt, whose struggles with abandonment were the crux of the episode. The scene in the shower was very powerful and contained some great acting by Zach Gilford and Kyle Chandler. It was obvious that Matt was upset about Carlota leaving for Guatemala, but it was surprising that he took all those decisions – Eric’s decision to take a new job, Julie’s decision to chase the Swede and his dad’s decision to stay in Iraq – so personally.

His roller coaster ride of an episode wasn’t without some laughs, however. I knew we were in for some great lines as soon as Riggins pulled up to the motorcycle dealership. Just when you think “I always skip Wednesdays” is going to be the cream of the crop, Tim pulls out this line:

“I was thinking, y’know, hit the museum, yoga, library for a bit. Then again, I might just do the uj.”

Riggins.

For those that are counting, we’ve seen two volleyball games without a football game. While it’s great to see the Lady Panthers winning, I know there are viewers out there that want to see some football. We did get some stretching, a bit of filmwork and a rather cheesy scene at the end with Smash, but no real football action. Are we going to have a game next week or a quick recap at the beginning of the show? The odds are against the Panthers making the playoffs, and hopefully we’ll see it play out on the field, not on the radio or in the past tense in a conversation.

Speaking of Smash, isn’t he being a little dramatic about losing his scholarship to TMU? Sure, it sucks, but if he were to write a heartfelt letter to the school explaining what happened in the movie theater, wouldn’t the team give him another chance? If not, I’m sure there are several other top programs that would like to hear his side of the story. Given the kinds of incidents that are swept underneath the rug in college football these days, defending your sister from a racist asshole is just child’s play. Someone will give Smash a chance.

Julie’s angst seemed a little trite, but she’s a teenager and teenagers are (apparently) pretty dramatic. It wasn’t really clear why Tami had to be there for the DMV test, but she did a nice job of laying a guilt trip on the instructor to get Julie’s test in before the day was over.

Lastly, I must mention the culmination of the Tyra/Landry storyline. All it took for Tyra to realize how much she liked Landry was a little jealousy over his budding relationship, and I thought her speech outside the movie theater was heartfelt (if ill-timed and awkward). But that’s the cool thing about this show – speeches like that rarely come at the right time in real life, so why should they in the sleepy town of Dillon? I feel a little bad for Jean, who seemed like a really good match for Landry, but in the end she just didn’t stand a chance against the long legs of Tyra Collette.

But really, does anyone?

External Entertainment, External TV, Friday Night Lights, TV, TV Action, TV Dramas

Lost 4.1 – The Beginning of the End

January 31, 2008 /

After eight long months off the air, “Lost” is finally back… well, for eight weeks anyways. With the writer’s strike rearing its ugly head midway through production, it looks like fans will have to endure yet another lengthy wait for the remainder of season four. Still, it’s nice to have one of my favorite shows back in rotation. Sure, I probably complain more than anyone when it comes to the chronic inconsistencies of J.J. Abrams’ island drama, but when it comes down to it, there’s no denying that “Lost” has continued to captivate me, through good times and bad.

For the time being, it appears the flash-forward is the new flashback, and this is probably the best news of the season. There weren’t many memorable flashbacks last year, so the integration of this new parallel storytelling device is tantalizing at the very least. I don’t expect the flashbacks to be completely discontinued (then again, maybe they will be), but I wouldn’t expect one to crop up for quite some time.

Speaking of which, tonight’s episode opened with yet another flash-forward – this time starring Hurley. As Jack goes about his daily morning routine (i.e. drinking a glass of OJ spiked with a little vodka), he turns on the local news station to see Hurley in a high-speed pursuit with the police. After crashing into a convenience store and being arrested (all while shouting “Don’t you know who I am? I’m one of the Oceanic Six!”), it’s more or less confirmed that Hurley has gone a bit insane. When the detective in charge of the arrest mentions that he knew Ana Lucia, Hurley denies ever meeting her, and instead pleads for a transfer to the nut house. It’s there that he’s visited by Matthew Abaddon (Lance Reddick, from HBO’s “The Wire”), a man Hurley doesn’t seem to know, but who seems to know everything about him. In fact, when he asks Hurley if “they’re still alive,” the dude totally freaks out.

Not much is known about Reddick’s character, but a recent interview indicated that he was a man of power, which can only mean one thing: Dharma. As for the question itself, Abaddon definitely has to be referring to the survivors who didn’t make it off the island. This means that they’re either still alive, or all dead. I’m going to bank on the former, though, since Hurley’s future visit with Jack (sans beard and depression) seemed to indicate a need to return to the island to right their wrongs. What exactly they did is still unknown, but it’s clearly going to be the focal point of the remainder of the series.

Back in the present, the survivors are preparing for the arrival of the “rescue boat” when a recently stabbed Naomi sneaks away into the jungle. Somehow, Locke has disappeared as well – despite the fact that he was standing a mere 10 feet away from Jack moments before. More concerned with Naomi’s disappearance, Jack and Co. go into the woods looking for her. Kate manages to get separated from the group, however, and Naomi ambushes her from the trees. Again, how someone on the brink of death was able to climb up a tree is beyond me, but I digress. Naomi ends up trusting that Kate meant her no harm, and she puts in another call to her friends, who still haven’t been able to lock on to their location.

Meanwhile, the beach group (which consists of Hurley, Desmond, Sayid, Sawyer and Bernard) heads back to warn Jack about Penny’s message, but when Hurley somehow gets lost in the shuffle (discovering Jacob’s abandoned house along the way), Locke is there to lead the way. The two groups finally converge in the middle of the woods, and after the news of Charlie’s death is announced, Locke makes a speech about his plans to head to the Others’ barracks for refuge. Jack is against the idea, but after attempting to kill Locke with an unloaded gun (“You’re not going to shoot me Jack, any more than I was going to…” *click*), most of the red shirts (along with Hurley, Claire and Sawyer) join Locke in what seems to be the safer strategy of the two. This divide between Jack and Locke is probably one of my least favorite ongoing subplots, but it’s a necessary conflict for the story to progress.

The arrival of yet another pilot (Jeremy Davies) caps the end of the episode, and while it probably left most people wanting more, well, I have a pretty good feeling that next week will more than make up for the lack of action. “Lost” is back, and for once, I couldn’t be more excited by the possibilities that it brings.

External TV, Lost, TV, TV Dramas

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